Massey guides Macc to early pole position

MACCLESFIELD 1st team welcomed Grappenhall to Victoria Road for week two of the new season. Skipper Jack Massey won the toss again and elected to field.

- SIMON GRIFFITHS

The Grappenhall openers made a cautious start and had taken the score to 18 when Tom Brinklow edged Miles Bradshaw to wicket keeper James Longhorn for 1. The visitors started to increase the run rate, with Will Fell looking dangerous. This necessitated Massey to change his bowlers by bringing on John Birchall and Fin Nash to replace the opening bowling pair of Bradshaw and Brad Porter

This had the desired effect when with his second ball Nash dismissed Fell, taken in the slips by Andrew Poppa. Fell had scored 20 off 25 balls but his side were now 59-2 with 13 overs gone. Grappers needed to get a base in the game and get the scoreboard moving. However, Birchall and Nash tighten the Macclesfield grip on the game as the visitors found it difficult to score. Young Nash was particularly impressive as he proceeded to bowl 7 overs, conceding only 9 runs but taking 3 wickets; with the batters struggling to get bat on ball. By the time Nash had completed his spell in the 26th over, Grappenhall were 81-5.